Getting Back to Your Roots
My Great Grandfather
Even though I have yet to find any famous or especially noteworthy relatives, there is something deeply moving about tracing them through time and learning about their lives. In some ways, their ordinary lifestyles make them even more tangible to me. As I pour over the details of their existence through census data, public documents, and vital records, I feel a special kinship to them. I have the sense of walking in their shoes and piecing together the long forgotten fragments of their lives.
I think we all would like to believe that we made a mark in the world, and we hope to be remembered long after we’re gone. Unfortunately however, the passage of time has a way of obscuring the memory of our lives. For that reason, it is an honor for me to recapture and share the stories of my ancestors with current and future generations. Acknowledging their existence and reclaiming them as members of my family makes my life seem larger and richer.
Some cultures and religions venerate their ancestors and engage in extensive rituals to pay them tribute. Many believe that ancestors stay with us, become our spiritual guides, and have the ability to influence our lives.
As for me personally, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude towards those upon whose shoulders I stand, those who passed their heritage and wisdom onto me. As their progeny, I believe they are also monitoring my journey, ready to assist with all the love, support, and guidance that I ask for.
If you are interested in discovering your own family history, some excellent web sites to start with are www.ancestry.com (they offer a free 14-day trial) and beta.familysearch.org (free site created by the Church of Latter Day Saints)
